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What do Toronto region transit riders really want? A system that makes sense

A West GTA citizens group moves beyond tired talking points to describe what a smart system would look like.

The West GTA group's report offers 28 recommendations for a regional transit system that rationalizes fares for people crossing city boundaries, discount fares for rides taken at less busy times of day, and better efforts to promote digital tools that help riders find their way around. (RENE JOHNSTON / TORONTO STAR) | Order this photo

Commuters living west of the city don’t just want more transit. They want transit that makes more sense.

That’s one of the themes in a report released Tuesday in Mississauga by a citizens’ group that emerged from last year’s Western GTA Summit, a gathering of politicians, businesses and community groups from municipalities on the west side of the Toronto region.

The report’s 28 recommendations make the case for a smarter system, including:

Smart pricing, so riders aren’t penalized for hopping aboard more than one transit system to complete a journey. Integrated schedules and service among regional agencies.

“Meaningful” discounts for people travelling outside the high-demand rush hours.

The report also suggests that transit systems seek corporate sponsorships to establish “fare holidays” — allowing free rides on public holidays, in the same way the TTC offers free sponsored service on New Year’s Eve.

Commuting should be more pleasant, convenient and productive, according to the 48-page document, called “Unlocking Our Gridlock Together, A Citizens Report on Transit.” It calls for free Wi-Fi at all stations; sheltered bike parking, repair and rentals; food and beverage concessions; and sheltered waiting areas with comfortable seating.

“Why build a massive hub for hundreds of buses a day, and for the nominal cost of putting up WiFi — I mean, come on,” said Joe Horneck, who co-chaired the task force behind the report.

“If we want to encourage people to be on transit, we have to make it a desirable thing to do.”

A regular GO commuter, he would like to see the all-day, two-way service available on GO’s Lakeshore lines extended to other corridors.

“My train stops at 7 p.m. My work doesn’t stop at 7 p.m.,” said Horneck. With lane closures on the Gardiner Expressway, his occasional car commute is becoming even more difficult.

Gridlock is a huge quality-of-life issue, he said. “I don’t want to miss my son’s bedtime. He’s only 3. He doesn’t like that very much.”

The report’s recommendations extend beyond GO Transit and beyond the usual call for dedicated funding from senior governments — although those are on the list.

It specifically suggests better integration of the Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga bus systems.

Although the group stopped short of calling for a single region-wide transit system, Horneck said, “If transit agencies can’t get their act together in the near future, perhaps we need to start considering more drastic measures.”

If we’re going to add another 2.5 million people (to the region) in the next 20 years, I can’t see how doing nothing is a possibility, and I can’t see how it’s a sustainable political position, to be honest,” he said.

The report was produced by a committee of 23 business people, students, planners and teachers. Their hope was that it would be published before a provincial election campaign got underway, Horneck admitted. But he said it’s possible politicians will be listening closely to residents’ concerns during the election.

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